PAS member of Parliament for Bukit Gantang Roslan Shaharum passed away this morning of heart attack at 50. In last March's election, Roslan (20 015) defeated Umno treasurer Azim Zabidi (18 449) and M Mogan (872) an, independent by a majority of 1,566 votes. Bukit Gantang is a Malay majority seat with 27% Chinese and 10% Indian votes.
This is a by-election that Najib's UMNO does not need. It will be a difficult by-election for UMNO to go into in the midst of high emotions and anger running in Perak. Moreover, not all BN component parties' leaders are convinced that the Perak political coup was a right thing for the coalition now. The controversial new "Menteri Besar" Zambry will not have an enviable task to lead this election. He is far from settling into his role.
Will Najib dare to "turun padang" or lead the campaign like the previous two in Permatang Pauh and Kuala Trengganu? It looks like the in-coming PM will not have much of a choice since he put himself as the new UMNO chief of Perak. A worse than 2008 results will put Najib on the spot and discredited him.
If BN's machinery was wanting in Kuala Trengganu, it will be at its worse in Bukit Gantang. Non-UMNO parties in BN will be cautious to throw everything at PR in the by-election if UMNO leaders resort to its anti-Malay and anti-monarch slogans against PR.
Looking at the development in Perak, this by-election will be fierce and fiery and may even be one of the most racist campaigns ever conducted in Malaysian politics. This is where Malaysians must use their head and not their heart to participate in the campaign as supporters or voters.
It will also prove another salient point, will there be more Hang Jebats or Hang Tuahs in Bukit Gantang, Perak?
Before the March 8, 2008 general election, Bukit Gantang was a strong pro-UMNO seat. This is an interesting election to watch. PR will pull their full weight behind their candidate and the people who wanted to get a shot at UMNO will now have a chance to do so.
With UMNO's party election looming near, this is a by-election which will become Najib's nightmare.
This is a by-election that Najib's UMNO does not need. It will be a difficult by-election for UMNO to go into in the midst of high emotions and anger running in Perak. Moreover, not all BN component parties' leaders are convinced that the Perak political coup was a right thing for the coalition now. The controversial new "Menteri Besar" Zambry will not have an enviable task to lead this election. He is far from settling into his role.
Will Najib dare to "turun padang" or lead the campaign like the previous two in Permatang Pauh and Kuala Trengganu? It looks like the in-coming PM will not have much of a choice since he put himself as the new UMNO chief of Perak. A worse than 2008 results will put Najib on the spot and discredited him.
If BN's machinery was wanting in Kuala Trengganu, it will be at its worse in Bukit Gantang. Non-UMNO parties in BN will be cautious to throw everything at PR in the by-election if UMNO leaders resort to its anti-Malay and anti-monarch slogans against PR.
Looking at the development in Perak, this by-election will be fierce and fiery and may even be one of the most racist campaigns ever conducted in Malaysian politics. This is where Malaysians must use their head and not their heart to participate in the campaign as supporters or voters.
It will also prove another salient point, will there be more Hang Jebats or Hang Tuahs in Bukit Gantang, Perak?
Before the March 8, 2008 general election, Bukit Gantang was a strong pro-UMNO seat. This is an interesting election to watch. PR will pull their full weight behind their candidate and the people who wanted to get a shot at UMNO will now have a chance to do so.
With UMNO's party election looming near, this is a by-election which will become Najib's nightmare.
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